07 LC 25
4726S
House
Resolution 56 (COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)
By:
Representatives Heard of the
104th,
England of the
108th,
Hamilton of the
23rd,
Knox of the
24th,
Reese of the
98th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
To
urge the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Congress to
begin a study of the costs and effects of adding to the storage capacities of
all Corps reservoirs in the State of Georgia; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
as growth and prosperity continue to evolve in Georgia, the demand for water
continues to be a major focus item for Georgia executives and stakeholders;
and
WHEREAS,
the situation is exacerbated by the tri-states negotiations among Georgia,
Florida, and Alabama that have been in debate for over 15 years;
and
WHEREAS,
whenever a drought occurs, the problem becomes even more severe;
and
WHEREAS,
additional water supplies would help ameliorate the problem, but new reservoirs
are extremely expensive and there is no readily available location in Georgia
for new storage capability; and
WHEREAS,
raising the full pool levels of Corps reservoirs in the state would
substantially increase the available water supply in Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
this increase could be managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers by
simply allowing lake levels to increase as weather and rainfall permits above
the present full pool levels; and
WHEREAS,
this increased supply will assist in the managed economic growth of the State of
Georgia and will provide additional storage buffers in the case of drought;
and
WHEREAS,
additional water supply for Georgia will help answer additional water needs as
growth in population and prosperity puts requirements on more water throughout
the state; and
WHEREAS, the costs of such action are minimal compared to newly created reservoirs and could be implemented in 12 to 18 months, whereas new and costly reservoirs could take a decade or longer.
WHEREAS, the costs of such action are minimal compared to newly created reservoirs and could be implemented in 12 to 18 months, whereas new and costly reservoirs could take a decade or longer.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body urge the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States
Congress to begin a study of the costs and effects of adding to the storage
capacities of all Corps reservoirs located throughout the State of
Georgia.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the United
States Army Corps of Engineers and each member of the Georgia Congressional
delegation.